Gosset Matchmakers 2026
GOSSET Matchmakers Is A FOOD AND WINE PAIRING COMPETITION FOR RISING CHEFS AND SOMMELIERS.
The competition, now in its eleventh year, represents the pinnacle of Champagne and gastronomy pairing.
Each year the competition attracts the very best from around the UK with the final taking place at the prestigious kitchens at Cord by Le Cordon Bleu in September. Organised in partnership with Hallgarten & Novum Wines and Sommelier Edit, winners are invited to visit the historic cellars of Champagne Gosset for a VIP tour, tasting and stay.
Gosset Matchmakers recognises and awards up-and-coming sommelier and chef partnerships who create perfect food and wine pairings in restaurants and other eateries all over the country.
In 2026 we invite entrants to create a savoury or sweet dish to pair with Gosset Grand Blanc de Blanc and would like to to see teams proposing creative and unexpected pairings with this unique wines.
Our first Blanc de Blancs, illustrating the modernity of the Gosset Champagne House.
Odilon de Varine, Cellar Master
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Important dates and information
COMPETITION DATES
Entries Open
Monday 13h April 2026
Entry deadline
Tuesday 30th June 2026
Finalist Announcement
Early September 2026
Live Finals
Cord by Le Cordon Bleu London
Monday 21st September 2026
HOW IT WORKS
Gosset Matchmakers is a competition for rising chefs and sommeliers each with fewer than five years professional experience.
Teams are invited to submit an imaginative and innovative food pairing with Gosset champagne
Five finalists will be invited to Cord by Le Cordon Bleu to prepare and present their pairing. On the day they will be asked to respond to a mystery wine and box of ingredients to create a second dish to further demonstrate their creativity and ability to work as a team under pressure.
Entrants must bring their own ingredients for the first dish and will be limited to a £40 ingredients budget to level the playing field. However, they will be provided with the ingredients to prepare the second surprise paring on the day.
For a full list of the competition rules please refer to the rules page.
Experienced judging panel
2025 JUDGES
Two new judges joined the 2025 panel. Chef Benjamin Ferra y Castell Head Chef at Pavyllon, Leona de Pasquale an experienced wine and tea educator endorsed by the Institute of Hospitality, and writer, Tina Gellie Content Manager from Decanter. They were joined by Matthieu Longuere MS from Le Cordon Bleu , Odilon de Varine Cellar Master from Champagne Gosset and Will Oatley Managing Director from Louis Latour Agencies who all returned for the 2024 competition.
The 2026 judging panel will be announced shortly.
For more information, including details of judges from previous editions of the competition visit our judges page.
Gosset Matchmakers 2026
The food and wine pairing competition recognising rising chefs and sommeliers
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